Royal Air Force Typhoon jets have joined forces with French warplanes in a joint strike targeting an hidden munitions depot in Syrian territory operated by the IS group, according to the British defence ministry.
The facility, identified by reconnaissance, was assessed as containing munitions and bombs, the announcement noted, and was located in hills just above Palmyra in the heart of Syria.
"Our fighter planes utilized precision-guided Paveway IV munitions to hit a several entry passages down to the depot... initial indications are that the objective was successfully hit," officials stated.
There was no sign of any civilian impact in the attack late on Saturday and all the aircraft returned safely, the ministry further stated.
The British jets were assisted by a Voyager tanker plane.
The Islamic State group - referred to as ISIS - imposed militant control over significant areas in Iraq and Syria until 2019.
"This strike underscores British leadership, and determination to operate in unison with our allies, to eradicate any re-emergence of IS and their dangerous and violent ideologies in the region," the British Defence Secretary John Healey said.
RAF aircraft have carried out overwatch operations over Syria to "prevent any attempted resurgence" of Islamic State subsequent to its routing at the battle of Baghuz in the year 2019, the ministry said.
"I extend gratitude to all the members of the UK armed forces involved in this strike for their professionalism and their bravery," he added. "They were part of numerous British personnel on duty over Christmas and New Year. This operation, to eliminate dangerous terrorists who pose a risk to our way of life, highlights how UK forces are ready to step up, all year round, keeping Britain secure domestically and powerful internationally."
In December, the US military conducted what it called a "large-scale strike" on Islamic State objectives in the country, subsequent to an attack claimed the lives of two US servicemembers and a local interpreter in Palmyra.
The UN reports Islamic State still maintains roughly 5-7 thousand fighters in Iraq and Syria.
